“Splendid. Splendid.” Her voice is deeper and more throaty than usual. “Are you ready for the full moon tomorrow?”
“Um. . .” I’m trying to listen to her, but I’m too focused on not paying attention to where Eddie, Hendricks, and Celeste are all laughing by the table, where the wine is now opened and poured. I watch people maneuver around them to get to the drinks, but they’re oblivious to it through their own amusement. “I didn’t realize it was a full moon.”
“Don’t you feel it in the air, Story? The energy around us is electric. Youmustfeel it.”
I shake my head. “I’m sorry, Agatha.”
“Oh dear, it’s more dire than I thought. I’m hosting a full moon bath tomorrow evening with my sisters in magic, come and join us.”
“I—”
I’m vaguely aware of her moving next to me, rustling around in the meters and meters of fabric her dress must take up, until she clasps my hand tight in hers. It’s so tight it almost bites into me.
“Keep this close to you, Story. It will help you open up. But you must come and see me. I can’t help you if you don’t come.”
When she lets go, I find a small, rough pink rock in my hand.
“Rose quartz. It will clear the blockage around your heart.”
“You make me sound constipated.”
“And this . . .” She ignores me, pressing a small vial into my palm. “I want you to rub onto your pillow every night before you sleep.”
“What is it?”
“A potion of my own making. It will help.”
“Is this what the apothecary gave Romeo?” I smile weakly at my pathetic joke. “Thanks, Agatha. I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome. It won’t be much longer,” she replies, and I get the impression she’s about to add something, only for her mouth to close, and she turns away.
“Charming,” I mutter. But a second later, I understand why.
“Anyone sitting here? No? Good. I’ll take it, then.” It all comes out in one long sentence, and he doesn’t bother waiting for me to answer before sitting down. “You rushed off without taking a drink. I didn’t know which you wanted, so I brought you both.”
I’m staring at Hendricks and the two cups he hasthrust toward me. One in each hand—a coffee and a cup of wine so full to the brim I don’t know how he’s not spilled it. I know there are at least three other people in this room staring too—Eddie, Celeste, and Agatha. Although Agatha is close enough to eavesdrop, so she doesn’t need to stare.
“You brought me a drink?”
“Two, actually.”
“Why?”
“I told you. I didn’t know which one you wanted.”
“What are you drinking, then?”
“Whichever one you don’t.”
“Okay.” I’m still eyeing him, waiting for the catch. I don’t know why he’s suddenly being so nice when I’ve been nothing but a total brat. But I reach for the wine because no one ever gets my coffee order correct, and only by slurping the top do I not spill it. “Thank you.”
His head bobs, and his throat works as he swallows. Air? Relief? Something at least. “You’re welcome.”
“Could you have poured any more in here?” I ask, taking another gulp, but as I do, he places the other cup on the floor.
Removing his jacket I’m treated again to a heady waft of Hendricks, and I do my best to hold my breath while he settles into a seat too small for his shoulders and stretches out his long legs. I wait for him to pick the coffee back up, but it stays on the floor as he leans back, his thick bicep resting against my arm.
“What are you doing? I thought you were drinking whatever I didn’t.”
